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Energy Industry Promotion Conference Draws Angry Protests at Drexel University

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- About 100 demonstrators gathered today on the campus of Drexel University, protesting a conference promoting Philadelphia as an "energy hub."

They chanted "no fracking hub" and held signs saying "Philadelphia is not for sale," "Stop fossil foolishness," and "I love clean air."  The demonstrators say they want the investors from corporations to keep so-called "dirty" fossil fuel investments out of Philadelphia.

"Stuff like more manufacturing plants, gas-fired power plants, more refinery activity," explains Sam Bernhardt of Food & Water Watch, who helped to organize the rally, "as well as more stuff like liquefied natural gas storage and transport in and out of Philadelphia.  Highly explosive stuff.  We shouldn't have more in our city," he told KYW Newsradio.

The oil and industry promotional conference was hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's "Council for Growth."

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